BEIJING, Nov 8, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to
Peru and Brazil next week for meetings of APEC and the G20, Beijing's foreign
ministry said Friday.

Xi will go to Lima from November 13 to 17 and Rio de Janeiro from November 17
to 21, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement.

In Peru, Xi will "attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a
state visit", Hua said.

And in Brazil, he will participate in a summit of G20 leaders, Beijing said.

China is Brazil's top trading partner, exceeding $180 billion in each-way
trade in 2023, with semiconductors, phones and pharmaceuticals dominating
exports to the South American country.

Since returning to power last year, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva has carried out a delicate balancing act as he seeks to deepen ties
with China while improving relations with the United States.

Both Brazil and China have sought to position themselves as mediators in the
conflict in Ukraine, while declining to sanction Russia for its invasion.

A visit this year by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin was seen as paving the
way for Brazil to join China's massive Belt and Road Initiative
infrastructure project.

A number of South American nations, including Peru, have signed up to the
initiative, a central pillar of President Xi's bid to expand China's clout
overseas.